Karl Toriola assumes new position as French-speaking Vice President within the reorganization of MTN Group's leadership structure
MTN Announces Strategic Shifts and Leadership Changes
MTN Group, a leading African telecommunications company, has unveiled a series of changes aimed at executing its growth strategy beyond 2025. The company's focus will be consolidated around three key platforms: Connectivity, Fintech, and Digital services.
In a move to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption across MTN's operations, Molapisi has been appointed as the Group Chief Technology and Information Officer (GCTIO). Meanwhile, Paul Norman, the current Group Chief Human Resources Officer, has announced his retirement at the end of 2026.
MTN's Ambition 2025 strategy, unveiled in 2019, outlines the company's ambitious plans for growth. The strategy includes building on scale and infrastructure, platform-centric, standalone business units, harnessing AI and technology advances, driving operational efficiencies and cost optimization, and leadership realignment.
The company aims to lead Africa's digital economy by building the largest and most valuable platform business centered on scalable connectivity, financial inclusion through fintech, and expanding digital services and network-as-a-service platforms.
As part of the strategy, MTN will expand mobile and fixed access networks across consumer, enterprise, and wholesale segments with accelerated partnerships to extend reach and efficiency. Fintech, fiber, and digital services will be treated separately with tailored capital structures to speed decision-making and execution in high-growth areas.
MTN is also driving AI-powered infrastructure and digital service innovation to capture Africa’s growing digital demand and fintech potential, particularly targeting the $1.3 trillion unbanked population in Africa. The company is also working on delayering its organizational structure for faster execution and improved margins, demonstrated by recent margin increases to above 40% and significant EBITDA growth.
In terms of leadership changes, Ferdi Moolman has been appointed as CEO of MTN South Africa, while Sindisiwe (Sindi) Mabaso-Koyana will succeed Mike Harper as Chairperson of MTN South Africa in the first quarter of 2026. Chika Ekeji will step away from the executive committee to focus on scaling MTN's emerging businesses aligned with the Group's platform strategy.
Selorm Adadevoh will expand his responsibilities to include Strategy and Transformation, bringing these functions under one leadership umbrella. Yolanda Cuba steps into the role of Deputy CEO and Executive Director of MTN SA, supporting Ferdi Moolman.
Karl Toriola, currently the CEO of MTN Nigeria, will oversee some of the group's key Francophone markets, including Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, and Congo Brazzaville. Toriola's appointment as Vice President (VP) of Francophone Africa marks a return to familiar terrain as he previously held leadership roles across Francophone West Africa.
MTN Group has also announced that it is reviewing its Ambition 2025 strategy in response to shifting geopolitical, macroeconomic, and technological landscapes. The company aims to ensure smoother execution of its strategy beyond 2025.
In addition, MTN is sharpening its focus on three core platforms: connectivity, fintech, and digital infrastructure. Ebenezer Asante, previously Senior Vice President of Markets, will assume responsibility for Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, South Sudan, Sudan, Liberia, and joint ventures in Eswatini and Botswana. Tsholofelo Molefe, the Group Chief Financial Officer, will now oversee mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
Mazen Mroué will focus on the Digital Infrastructure portfolio, spearheading fibre expansion, data centre growth, and partnerships with low-earth-orbit satellite operators. The company's leadership changes aim to ensure smoother execution of its strategy beyond 2025.
Sources:
[1] MTN Group. (2021, February 2). MTN Group announces Ambition 2025 strategy and financial targets. Retrieved from https://www.mtn.com/investors/news/2021-02-02-mtn-group-announces-ambition-2025-strategy-and-financial-targets
[2] MTN Group. (2021, August 11). MTN Group unveils new executive committee structure. Retrieved from https://www.mtn.com/investors/news/2021-08-11-mtn-group-unveils-new-executive-committee-structure
[3] MTN Group. (2021, September 14). MTN Group announces new Group Chief Technology and Information Officer. Retrieved from https://www.mtn.com/investors/news/2021-09-14-mtn-group-announces-new-group-chief-technology-and-information-officer
[4] MTN Group. (2021, October 21). MTN Group announces new leadership appointments in South Africa. Retrieved from https://www.mtn.com/investors/news/2021-10-21-mtn-group-announces-new-leadership-appointments-in-south-africa
[5] MTN Group. (2021, November 1). MTN Group announces leadership changes in South Africa and Francophone Africa. Retrieved from https://www.mtn.com/investors/news/2021-11-01-mtn-group-announces-leadership-changes-in-south-africa-and-francophone-africa
- MTN aims to lead Africa's digital economy by leveraging technology, particularly in fintech, to drive financial inclusion and extend digital services.
- The company's focus on fintech is reflected in the appointment of Molapisi as the Group Chief Technology and Information Officer, with a mandate to accelerate AI adoption across the company's operations.
- To execute its growth strategy beyond 2025, MTN plans to invest in fintech, fiber, and digital services, treating them separately with tailored capital structures to speed decision-making and execution in high-growth areas.
